Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Sci Rep 2019 Apr 23;9(1):6418. Epub 2019 Apr 23.

Materials Science Lab, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt.

Doxycycline (DOX) and amoxicillin (AMOX) are important Broad-spectrum antibiotics used in treating multiple human and animal diseases. For the sake of exploring novel medical applications, both antibiotics were loaded into magnesium aluminium layer double hydroxide (Mg-Al)/LDH nanocomposite through the co-precipitation method. The synthesized materials were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, particle size analysis, FESEM and HRTEM. Read More

Nanotoxicology 2019 Apr 23:1-13. Epub 2019 Apr 23.

a Neurobiology Division , Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences , Delhi , India.

Aluminum oxide (AlO) nanoparticles (NPs) have a wide number of applications which cause intentional and unintentional exposure to humans, making it important to understand the nano-bio interaction. In this study, we made an attempt to evaluate the toxic effects of AlO NPs chronic exposure on Drosophila melanogaster. Flies were exposed to AlO NPs at concentration 0. Read More

Osteoporos Sarcopenia 2019 Mar 15;5(1):2-5. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.

Aluminum (Al) is the third most abundant element in the earth's crust and is omnipresent in our environment, including our food. However, with normal renal function, oral and enteral ingestion of substances contaminated with Al, such as antacids and infant formulae, do not cause problems. The intestine, skin, and respiratory tract are barriers to Al entry into the blood. Read More

J Clean Prod 2019 Apr;215:634-649

European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate for Energy, Transport and Climate, Energy Storage Unit, Westerduinweg 3, NL-1755 LE, Petten, the Netherlands.

Traction batteries are a key factor in the environmental sustainability of electric mobility and, therefore, it is necessary to evaluate their environmental performance to allow a comprehensive sustainability assessment of electric mobility. This article presents an environmental assessment of a lithium-ion traction battery for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, characterized by a composite cathode material of lithium manganese oxide (LiMnO) and lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide Li(NiCoMn)O. Composite cathode material is an emerging technology that promises to combine the merits of several active materials into a hybrid electrode to optimize performance and reduce costs. Read More

J Nanobiotechnology 2019 Apr 16;17(1):53. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

Department of Horticulture, Foshan University, Foshan, 528000, Guangdong, China.

Background: Soil acidity (and associated Al toxicity) is a major factor limiting crop production worldwide and threatening global food security. Electrostatic layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly provides a convenient and versatile method to form an extracellular silica nanocoat, which possess the ability to protect cell from the damage of physical stress or toxic substances. In this work, we have tested a hypothesis that extracellular silica nanocoat formed by LBL self-assembly will protect root border cells (RBCs) and enhance their resistance to Al toxicity. Read More

J Food Drug Anal 2019 Apr 12;27(2):551-564. Epub 2019 Jan 12.

Center for Infectious Disease and Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan; Institute of Medical Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in late life. It is difficult to precisely diagnose AD at early stages, making biomarker search essential for further developments. The objective of this study was to identify protein biomarkers associated with aluminum ions toxicity (AD-like toxicity) in a human neuroblastoma cell model, SH-SY5Y and assess potential prevention by NAP (NAPVSIPQ). Read More

Environ Geochem Health 2019 Apr 13. Epub 2019 Apr 13.

Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Rua 235 - s/n - Setor Universitário, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.

Environmental degradation has increased, mainly as a result of anthropogenic effects arising from population, industrial and agricultural growth. Water pollution is a problem that affects health, safety and welfare of the whole biota which shares the same environment. In Goiânia and metropolitan region, the main water body is the Meia Ponte River that is used for the abstraction of water, disposal of treated wastewater and effluents. Read More

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2019 Apr 10. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushan Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510642, China.

Soil-exchangeable aluminum (Al) has toxic effects on living organisms in acidic soils. Earthworm presence and activity can alter soil pH, which has a significant influence on Al toxicity. However, the effects of earthworms on soil Al toxicity and fractions are still largely unknown. Read More

Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2019 Mar;70(1):49-53

Toxicological Research Center, Center for Excellence in Clinical Toxicology, Department of Clinical Toxicology, Loghman Hakim Hospital, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Cardiovascular toxicity is the most common cause of fatality in the first 24 hours of poisoning with aluminium phosphide (AlP). Most often manifesting itself in cardiac dysrhythmias. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of amiodarone prophylaxis against cardiac dysrhythmia in 46 patients with acute AlP poisoning. Read More

Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2019 Apr 1. Epub 2019 Apr 1.

São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Dentistry, Rua Humaitá, 1680 (street), 14801-903, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address:

Therapeutic contact lenses were developed from bacterial cellulose (BC) by the Institute of Chemistry at Brazil's São Paulo State University (UNESP). In a previous study, cyclodextrins (CD) and medications such as ciprofloxacin (CP) and diclofenac sodium (DS) were incorporated into the lenses to provide therapeutic properties and control drug release. However, significant opacity was seen in the material inherent to cellulose. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2019 28;2019:5023125. Epub 2019 Feb 28.

Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia.

Flax ( L.) is a multipurpose crop which is used for the production of textile, oils, composite materials, pharmaceuticals, . Soil acidity results in a loss of seed and fiber production of flax, and aluminum toxicity is a major factor that depresses plant growth and development in acid conditions. Read More

Plant Cell Environ 2019 Apr 2. Epub 2019 Apr 2.

College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453007, China.

Hydrogen sulfide (H S) is emerging as an important signaling molecule involved in plant resistance to various stresses. However, the underlying mechanism of H S in aluminum (Al) resistance and the crosstalk between H S and nitric oxide (NO) in Al stress signaling remain elusive. Citrate secretion is a wide-spread strategy for plants against Al toxicity. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2019 Mar 28;20(7). Epub 2019 Mar 28.

State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is one of the major constraints to agricultural production in acid soils. Molecular mechanisms of coping with Al toxicity have now been investigated in a range of plant species. Two main mechanisms of Al tolerance in plants are Al exclusion from the roots and the ability to tolerate Al in the roots. Read More

Materials (Basel) 2019 Mar 20;12(6). Epub 2019 Mar 20.

Institute of Chemical Technology and Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Poznan University of Technology, Berdychowo 4, PL-60965 Poznan, Poland.

Scientific development has increased the awareness of water pollutant forms and has reawakened the need for its effective purification. Oxyanions are created by a variety of redox-sensitive metals and metalloids. These species are harmful to living matter due to their toxicity, nondegradibility, and mobility in aquatic environments. Read More

Vopr Virusol 2019 ;64(1):5-11

Research Somov Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Vladivostok, 690087, Russian Federation.

The review article presents the characteristics of the main adjuvant groups (mineral salts of aluminum, synthetic squalenebased adjuvants - MF59 and AS03, CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides, virosomes, polyoxidonium, sovidone) included in the licensed influenza vaccine. The main mechanisms of adjuvant action, advantages and disadvantages of these adjuvants are shown. The vaccines adjuvants in the phase of experimental studies and clinical trials (ISCOMs, Advax™, chitosan) are described too. Read More

Drug Chem Toxicol 2019 Mar 20:1-9. Epub 2019 Mar 20.

a Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Healthcare Biotechnology , Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology , Islamabad , Pakistan.

Aluminum (Al) is known for its neurotoxicity for over a century and is reported to have specifically high toxicity for cholinergic system. The effect of Al on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors is widely reported, but its effect on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) is less well known. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Al on hippocampus dependent learning and memory, function and expression of nAChRs in the hippocampus. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019 Mar 12;16(5). Epub 2019 Mar 12.

The Birchall Centre, Lennard-Jones Laboratories, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK.

Historical and recent data demonstrate that off-the-shelf infant formulas are heavily contaminated with aluminium. The origin of this contamination remains to be elucidated though may be imported via ingredients, packaging and processing. Specialised infant formulas exist to address health issues, such as low birth weight, allergy or intolerance and medical conditions, such as renal insufficiency. Read More

Analyst 2019 Apr;144(8):2480-2497

Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan.

Recently, water contamination caused by metal ions has become one of the most serious problems as it has caused several deaths and socioeconomic problems around the world. Hence, the fast and accurate detection of metal ions in aqueous media has become the most important area of research; from time to time, new probes have been designed for this purpose. Among the previously reported sensors, probes based on fluorescent organic nanoparticles (FONs) have been gaining tremendous attention due to their ease of preparation/fabrication, synthetic diversity according to targeted metal ions, quick response, high selectivity toward different analytes at lower concentrations, tenable optical properties, and less toxicity. Read More

BMJ 2019 Mar 11;364:l1126. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

Cambridge, UK.

Plant Physiol Biochem 2019 May 2;138:80-90. Epub 2019 Mar 2.

State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, 310006, China. Electronic address:

When boron (B) deficiency and aluminum (Al) toxicity co-exist in acidic soils, crop productivity is limited. In the current study, we found that 3 μM of B pretreatment significantly enhances rice root elongation under Al toxicity conditions. Pretreatment with B significantly decreases the deposition of Al in rice apoplasts, suppresses the synthesis of cell wall pectin, inhibits cell wall pectin methylesterase (PME) activity and its gene expression, and increases the expression of OsSTAR1 and OsSTAR2, which are responsible for reducing the Al content in the cell walls. Read More

Physiol Plant 2019 Mar 8. Epub 2019 Mar 8.

State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou 310006, China.

Aluminum (Al ) toxicity in acidic soils limits crop productivity worldwide. In this study, we found that putrescine (PUT) significantly alleviates Al toxicity in rice roots. The addition of 0. Read More

Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2018 18;6:183. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Bio&Hydrometallurgy Laboratory, Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil.

Bioleaching is a mature technology, which is widely employed commercially in the leaching of primary sources of metals (ores, concentrates, and mine residues). The current work discussed the effects of aluminum sulfate additions to the growth medium, PLS recirculation and bleeding on the column bioleaching of secondary copper sulfide ores with a significant content of fluoride-containing minerals. Fluoride is toxic to bacteria at the pH of bioleaching but its toxicity may be overcome in the presence of soluble aluminum and ferric iron. Read More

J Econ Entomol 2019 Feb 23. Epub 2019 Feb 23.

USDA-ARS, Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, Manhattan, KS.

Filter cake and Triplex are powdered by-products of aluminum sulfate and soap factories in Ethiopia, respectively. This study was aimed at determining contact toxicity of filter cake and Triplex powders against maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky. Lethal concentrations for 99% mortality (LC99) against S. Read More

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2019 Apr 2;26(12):12071-12079. Epub 2019 Mar 2.

Department of Biotechnology, Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (Women's University), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, 517 502, India.

Highly bioavailable plant phospholipid complex that can reverse aluminum maltolate (AlM)-induced toxicity is not yet reported. Hence, the present study was planned to investigate the impact of oxidative stress and apoptotic changes provoked by Al and ameliorative role of Bacopa phospholipid complex (BPC) in albino rats. The levels of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase activity (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBA-RS) were measured and immunohistochemistry analysis of apoptotic markers, Bax and Bcl-2, was done from the four brain regions such as the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and medulla oblongata. Read More

J Exp Bot 2019 Mar 2. Epub 2019 Mar 2.

Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, MOE, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.

Although citrate transporters are involved in iron (Fe) translocation or aluminum (Al) tolerance in plants, none of them have been shown to confer both biological functions in Fe absorption strategy I plant species so far. We demonstrate that AhFRDL1, a citrate transporter gene from peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) induced by both Fe-deficiency and Al-stress, participates in root-to-shoot Fe translocation and Al tolerance. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2019 Feb 25;20(4). Epub 2019 Feb 25.

State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou 310006, China.

Aluminum (Al) at high concentrations inhibits root growth, damage root systems, and causes significant reductions in rice yields. and rice have been cultivated in distinctly different ecological environments with different soil acidity levels; thus, they might have different mechanisms of Al-tolerance. In the present study, transcriptomic analysis in the root apex for Al-tolerance in the seedling stage was carried out within Al-tolerant and -sensitive varieties belonging to different subpopulations (i. Read More

J Proteomics 2019 May 27;199:15-30. Epub 2019 Feb 27.

Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystem, College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, PR China. Electronic address:

Aluminium (Al) toxicity is a major limiting factor for plant productivity in acidic soils. Calcium (Ca) is an essential element and participates in various physiological responses to environmental stress. Here, the aim of this work was to study the role of exogenous Ca in alleviating Al toxicity in Arabidopsis thaliana. Read More

Environ Res 2018 Dec 21;172:249-257. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. Electronic address:

Goal: The goal of this study was to evaluate the association between groundwater arsenic and fasting blood glucose in the context of other groundwater chemicals, in Bangladesh.

Methods: Fasting blood glucose, gender, body mass index, sociodemographic variables, and diabetes medication use were measured among adults ≥ 35 years of age (n = 6587) participating in the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2011. Groundwater chemicals in 3534 well water samples were measured in the British Geological Survey (BGS) and Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) 1998-99 survey. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2019 May 17;666:759-765. Epub 2019 Feb 17.

Department of Cellular Biology, Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, Universitat de València, Doctor Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address:

Despite the increasing presence of metal nanoparticles in the biosphere as a consequence of their widespread use, knowledge about the impact of these nanoparticles on fauna, ecosystems and human health is far from completion. This is especially true for terrestrial invertebrates. Insects are environmentally exposed to nanoparticles by several ways, the ectopic contact being one of the most probable. Read More

Int J Pediatr Adolesc Med 2018 Mar 27;5(1):31-33. Epub 2018 Feb 27.

King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Saudi Arabia.

Aluminum toxicity affecting bone mineral density is a known complication of long-term parentral nutrition. In this report, we describe a similar patient who suffered from bone disease and had a favorable response to chelation therapy using deferoxamine. We believe this may be a possible agent improving the life quality for the above mentioned group of patients. Read More

Environ Monit Assess 2019 Feb 20;191(3):176. Epub 2019 Feb 20.

Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, 37132, USA.

The susceptibility of Tennessee's Appalachian Mountains to anthropogenic stressors has remained largely uninvestigated likely due to a lack of known point source contamination. However, a growing body of scientific evidence suggests that depositional inputs can lead to concerning levels of contamination, even in remote areas. To investigate potential concerns, water quality parameters, contaminants in water (nitrogen, TSS, and metals), and contaminants in eastern brook trout (mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs], organochlorine [OC] pesticides, dioxins, furans, and phthalates) were measured in four Appalachian Mountain streams from 2015 to 2017. Read More

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2019 May 13;173:131-141. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education, Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China. Electronic address:

The present study aimed to investigate whether melatonin (MT) treatment can attenuate immunotoxicity induced by aluminum chloride (AlCl) in rat spleen. Forty-eight healthy male Wistar rats were randomly allocated and treated with AlCl and/or MT. Rats were orally administered with AlCl for 90 days, from 61st days, rats were injected intraperitoneally with MT for 30 days. Read More

Plant Physiol Biochem 2019 Apr 8;137:93-101. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Microelement Research Center, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, PR China. Electronic address:

Aluminum (Al) toxicity in the acid soils (pH ≤ 5) is the major limiting abiotic factor affecting the productivity of crops. Boron (B) has been reported to alleviate Al toxicity. In spite of recent advances, it is not clear how B relieves Al toxicity. Read More

Water Sci Technol 2018 Dec;78(12):2542-2552

Open Education Faculty/Department of Health Programs, Anadolu University, Eskisehir, Turkey E-mail:

We present electrocoagulation (EC) treatment results of vinegar industry wastewater (VIW) using parallel plate aluminum and iron electrodes, and analyze the toxicity of the treatment processes. Due to the chemical complexity of vinegar production wastewater, several parameters are expected to alter the treatment efficiency. Particularly, current density, initial pH, NaSO as support electrolyte, polyaluminum chloride (PAC) and kerafloc are investigated for their effects on chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2019 Feb 2;653:1034-1041. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts Amherst, United States of America. Electronic address:

The proliferation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the environment and resultant transport into aquatic systems have raised concerns regarding their potential toxicity to various organisms. These environmental and ecological concerns demand reliable AgNP detection methods which can measure environmentally relevant quantities of AgNPs in real aquatic systems. This study developed a method that couples a rapid vacuum filtration technique with a portable Raman spectrometer to achieve on-site detection of ultra-low levels of AgNPs in typical and complex aquatic systems. Read More

PeerJ 2019 31;7:e6302. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Lanzhou, P. R. China.

Multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) transporters contribute to multidrug resistance and play major determinants of aluminum (Al) tolerance in plants. Alfalfa ( L.) is the most extensively cultivated forage crop in the world, yet most alfalfa cultivars are not Al tolerant. Read More

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2019 Mar 4;26(9):9041-9054. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India.

To investigate the extent of aluminum toxicity tolerance of eco-friendly, fast-growing, fresh water, pteridophytic Azolla-Anabaena symbiotic association in terms of altered physiological signals; Azolla microphylla Kaulf was exposed to 0 (control), 100, 250, 500, and 750 μM AlCl, at pH 4.5 for 6 days. The adversity of Al was increased in a dose-dependent manner and the highest was recorded at 750 μM AlCl. Read More

Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2019 Feb 3. Epub 2019 Feb 3.

Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Aluminium phosphide (AlP) is a highly toxic substance with a high mortality rate and no effective antidote. Once exposed to the moisture and acidic conditions of the stomach, AlP releases toxic phosphine (PH ) gas, which results in severe toxicity in poisoned subjects. Selegiline is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor with antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties, which is mostly prescribed for the treatment of mood disorders and Parkinson's disease. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2019 May 25;663:216-226. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Sustainable Minerals Institute, Environment Centres (CMLR), University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia. Electronic address:

Effective neutralization of strongly alkaline conditions in bauxite residues (BR) is the fundamental step to initiate the process of eco-engineering BR into growth substrate (or soil-like medium) for direct phytostabilization with pioneer plant species. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of microbial decomposition of organic matter (OM) (i.e. Read More

Int J Biol Macromol 2019 Apr 30;127:594-605. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

School of Food and Pharmacy, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, PR China. Electronic address:

In this study, we prepared pH- and magnetism-responsive FeO@C/carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/chitosan composite microbeads for controlled release of diclofenac sodium (DS) to (i) prevent complete drug release in gastric area, (ii) maintain blood drug concentration in a specific part of the body, (iii) reduce drug administration time and systemic drug toxicity, and (iv) improve drug efficacy. Through one-step solvent thermal treatment, a polyethylene glycol layer was wrapped into FeO nanoparticles. Then, FeO@C nanoparticles were incorporated into CMC matrix and coated with chitosan layer via a self-assembly technique to form core-shell polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs). Read More

Chemosphere 2019 May 24;222:243-249. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy. Electronic address:

Aluminium and cadmium are biologically non-essential metals with a role in neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases. As an attractive model for neurobehavioural studies, zebrafish at 6 h post fertilization were exposed to 9, 18, 36 and 72 μM CdCl and 50, 100 and 200 μM AlCl, respectively, for 72 h, and motility such as distance moved, mean velocity, cumulative movement, meander and heading were measured by DanioVision equipment. The hatching time was also analysed. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2019 Mar 11;658:1039-1055. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

University of Corsica, UMR CNRS 6134, Research Centre George Peri, Route des Sanguinaires, F-20000 Ajaccio, France.

The purpose of the present article is the evaluation, by means of life cycle assessment, of a system which consists of vacuum-tube solar thermal collectors. The system is appropriate for building integration and it has been developed in France. The methods ReCiPe and USEtox have been adopted. Read More

J Hazard Mater 2019 Apr 29;368:115-123. Epub 2018 Dec 29.

Centre for Fire and Hazard Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, PR1 2HE, UK. Electronic address:

The 2017 Grenfell Tower fire spread rapidly around the combustible façade system on the outside of the building, killing 72 people. We used a range of micro- and bench-scale methods to understand the fire behaviour of different types of façade product, including those used on the Tower, in order to explain the speed, ferocity and lethality of the fire. Compared to the least flammable panels, polyethylene-aluminium composites showed 55x greater peak heat release rates (pHRR) and 70x greater total heat release (THR), while widely-used high-pressure laminate panels showed 25x greater pHRR and 115x greater THR. Read More

J Mol Biol 2019 Apr 18;431(9):1843-1868. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

Neurula Laboratory, Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Electronic address:

As the median age of the population increases, the number of individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the associated socio-economic burden are predicted to worsen. While aging and inherent genetic predisposition play major roles in the onset of AD, lifestyle, physical fitness, medical condition, and social environment have emerged as relevant disease modifiers. These environmental risk factors can play a key role in accelerating or decelerating disease onset and progression. Read More

Environ Health Toxicol 2018 Dec 13;33(4):e2018019. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.

We reviewed the chemical/physical properties, toxicity, environmental fate, and ecotoxicity of strong acids in soil and groundwater environments. We recommend that sulfuric acid and hydrofluoric acid be classified as chemicals of priority control based on volumes used, toxicity, carcinogenicity, and past significant spill events. Understanding the behavior and transport of spilled strong acids in soil and groundwater environments requires a multi-disciplinary approach, as they can undergo a variety of geochemical and biochemical reactions with complex geomedia. Read More

Plant Physiol Biochem 2019 Mar 11;136:92-97. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Department of Physics and Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo - USP, Av. Café s/n, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. Electronic address:

Aluminum (Al) toxicity has been recognized to be a main limiting factor of crop productivity in acid soil. Al interacts with cell walls disrupting the functions of the plasma membrane and is associated with oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. Jatropha curcas L. Read More

Exp Mol Pathol 2019 04 17;107:32-42. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

Department of Histology, Embryology and Cell Biology, Laboratory of Microscopy Applied to Reproduction, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás 74001970, Brazil. Electronic address:

Normal prostate development is highly dependent of an equilibrated hormonal regulation, so that sensible interferences during this period may predispose the gland to lesions during aging. Industrial activities have increased the exposure of this gland to active elements found in environment, such as aluminum (Al). Al presents toxic effect for living beings, having the potential to disrupt the development and growth of several organs and systems. Read More

Plant J 2019 Jan 18. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

Department of Developmental Biology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, 22609, Germany.

Aluminium (Al) ions are one of the primary growth-limiting factors for plants on acid soils, globally restricting agriculture. Despite its impact, little is known about Al action in planta. Earlier work has indicated that, among other effects, Al induces DNA damage. Read More